Electronic device, method for controlling electronic device, and program

ABSTRACT

There is provided an electronic device including a manipulation unit configured to acquire manipulation by a user, and a control unit configured to selectively execute one of a plurality of controls of the electronic device which are associated with a duration of the manipulation and to perform switching of at least one of the plurality of controls according to information indicating a state of the electronic device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Application Ser. No.16/159,432, filed, Oct. 12, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/293,507, filed Jun. 2, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,133,583), which claims the benefit of Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2013-132672, filed Jun. 25, 2013, the entire contents ofeach are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a method forcontrolling an electronic device, and a program.

A technology is known by which an operation of an electronic device isimplemented depending on how a handler such as a button is pressed. Forexample, JP 2000-20205A discloses a technology for a personal computerhaving an application function of taking an image. Specifically, awindow for the application appears in front of windows of the otherapplications when a shutter button is halfway pressed, and taking animage is executed when the shutter button is fully pressed.

SUMMARY

However, the state of the electronic device is ever-changing due to auser's manipulation, progress of processing, or the like, and, forexample, some component might not function properly. In such a case, thetechnology as described, for example, in JP 2000-20205A is notsufficient to implement optimum operation according to the user'smanipulation.

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an electronicdevice, a method for controlling an electronic device, and a programwhich are novel and improved, and which can implement a more appropriateoperation for a user's manipulation by reflecting the state of theelectronic device on the operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan electronic device including a manipulation unit configured to acquiremanipulation by a user, and a control unit configured to selectivelyexecute one of a plurality of controls of the electronic device whichare associated with a duration of the manipulation and to performswitching of at least one of the plurality of controls according toinformation indicating a state of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda method for controlling an electronic device, the method includingacquiring manipulation by a user, and selectively executing one of aplurality of controls of the electronic device which are associated witha duration of the manipulation and performing switching of at least oneof the plurality of controls according to information indicating a stateof the electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda program causing a controller or a processor of an electronic device toimplement a function of acquiring manipulation by a user, and a functionof selectively executing one of a plurality of controls of theelectronic device which are associated with a duration of themanipulation and performing switching of at least one of the pluralityof controls according to information indicating a state of theelectronic device.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above,it is possible to implement a more appropriate operation for a user'smanipulation by reflecting the state of an electronic device on theoperation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of apersonal computer according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of power control of thepersonal computer in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between apressed/released state of a power button and a state of power control inthe personal computer according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of apersonal computer according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of power control of thepersonal computer in the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of atablet terminal according to a third embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of anapplication function provided in the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a first example illustrating command control bya web browser function in the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a second example illustrating processing by theweb browser function in the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a setting screenprovided in a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a setting screenprovided in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a setting screenprovided in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

Note that the descriptions will be given in the following order.

1. First Embodiment

-   -   1-1. Electronic Device Configuration    -   1-2. Power Control Example

2. Second Embodiment

-   -   2-1. Electronic Device Configuration    -   2-2. Power Control Example

3. Third Embodiment

-   -   3-1. Electronic Device Configuration    -   3-2. Command Control Example

4. Fourth Embodiment

5. Hardware Configuration Example of Information Processing Apparatus

6. Supplement

1. First Embodiment

(1-1. Electronic Device Configuration)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of apersonal computer according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. With reference to FIG. 1, a personal computer 100 includes apower button 110, an EC (Embedded Controller) 120, a chipset 130, aprocessor 140, a display 150, and a power circuit 160.

The personal computer 100 can be, for example, a notebook, tablet, ordesktop computer. When the personal computer 100 is a desktop computer,the display 150 may be connected, as an external device, to the personalcomputer 100. The personal computer 100 can also have input devices suchas a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, in addition to theillustrated components. The personal computer 100 may also have anoutput device such as a speaker, in addition to the display 150.Further, the personal computer 100 may have: a drive; a connection portor a communication device; and the like. The drive executes reading andwriting from and to a memory, a storage, or a removable recording mediumany of which has a program and other data stored therein, the programbeing executed by the processor 140. The external device is connected tothe connection port, and the communication device executes networkcommunication. Note that a more specific example of the unillustratedcomponents is provided in a hardware configuration example of aninformation processing apparatus to be described later.

The power button 110 is a hardware button provided on an enclosure ofthe personal computer 100. The power button 110 is, for example, a pushswitch, and acquires a pressing manipulation by a user. Apressed/released state of the power button 110 is notified to the EC 120through signal wires.

The EC 120 detects the pressed/released state of the power button 110through the signal wires, and executes power control of the personalcomputer 100, that is, control of the power circuit 160 according to aduration of the pressing manipulation of the power button 110. The EC120 operates even during shutdown of the personal computer 100, and thuscan also execute power control for booting or rebooting the personalcomputer 100. The EC 120 can also notify the chipset 130 of thepressed/released state of the power button 110 detected while thepersonal computer 100 is running. Note that the details of the powercontrol by the EC 120 will be described later.

The chipset 130 controls a hard disk drive installed as a storage, anexternal connection device connected to a USB port, and the like. Thechipset 130 is connected to the EC 120 and notifies the processor 140 ofthe pressed/released state of the power button 110 notified from the EC120. When receiving a request for transition to a power saving statefrom the processor 140, the chipset 130 issues, to the EC 120, a requestfor power control for the transition. Note that the chipset 130 does notoperate during the shutdown of the personal computer 100, unlike the EC120.

The processor 140 operates, for example, an OS (Operating System) andexecutes processing for controlling image display on the display 150.The processor 140 is connected to the chipset 130 and is notified of thepressed/released state of the power button 110 from the chipset 130. Inthe present embodiment, when the pressing manipulation (kept for lessthan 4 seconds) of the power button 110 is detected while the personalcomputer is running, the processor 140 requests the chipset 130 fortransition to a power saving state (sleep). The EC 120 executes thepower control in response to the request. When the personal computer 100is in the power saving state, the processor 140 does not operate. Likethe chipset 130, the processor 140 does not operate also during shutdownof the personal computer 100.

The display 150 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) and displays an image under the control of the processor 140.The display 150 is an example of an output unit that outputs informationfor the user. After the personal computer 100 transitions to the powersaving state, or when the personal computer 100 is shut down, theprocessor 140 does not operate, and thus the display 150 does notoperate, either. In other words, no image is displayed. Note that in thepresent embodiment, the personal computer 100 is not provided with aseparate indicator for a power state. Accordingly, the user knows apower state of the personal computer 100 according to the displayingstate of the display 150. More specifically, when the display 150displays an image, the user can judge that the personal computer 100 isrunning. When the display 150 does not display an image, the user canjudge that the personal computer 100 is shut down or is in the powersaving state.

The power circuit 160 includes power circuits 160 a, 160 b, and 160 c.The power circuit 160 supplies power to the components of the personalcomputer 100 by connecting the components to a battery of the personalcomputer 100 or an external power supply connected to the personalcomputer 100. While the personal computer 100 is running, the powercircuit 160 a is on under the control of the EC 120 and supplies powerto the processor 140 and the display 150. Accordingly, the processor 140and the display 150 operate, only while the personal computer 100 isrunning.

In contrast, while the personal computer 100 is running and in the powersaving state, the power circuit 160 b is on under the control of the EC120 and supplies power to the chipset 130. Accordingly, while thepersonal computer 100 is running and in the power saving state, thechipset 130 operates. This enables the personal computer 100 to restorequickly from the power saving state. Meanwhile, the power circuit 160 cis on to supply power to the EC 120, even while the personal computer100 is shut down. Accordingly, the EC 120 detects a pressingmanipulation of the power button 110, for example, in a state where thepersonal computer 100 is shut down, and can execute the power controlfor booting the personal computer 100.

(1-2. Power Control Example)

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of power control of thepersonal computer in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 2, the EC 120 detecting a pressing manipulationof the power button 110 (Step S101) firstly determines whether thepersonal computer 100 is running (Step S103). Here, when the personalcomputer 100 is not running, that is, in the power saving state or in ashutdown state (NO), the EC 120 boots the personal computer 100 (StepS105). More specifically, the EC 120 turns on any of the power circuits160 b and 160 c which is off (the power circuit 160 a is already turnedon), and makes operable all of the chipset 130, the processor 140, andthe display 150.

On the other hand, when it is determined in Step S103 described abovethat the personal computer 100 is running (YES), the power control to beexecuted by the EC 120 depends on a duration of the pressingmanipulation of the power button 110 (hereinafter, also referred to as apressing duration). It can be said in this case that the EC 120selectively executes one of power controls associated with respectivepressing durations of the power button 110. In the illustrated example,the EC 120 determines whether the pressing duration of the power button110 is 4 seconds or longer (Step S107). Here, when the pressing of thepower button 110 is stopped within less than 4 seconds (NO), the EC 120executes power control for causing the personal computer 100 totransition to the power saving state (Step S109). More specifically, theEC 120 turns off only the power circuit 160 c.

On the other hand, when it is determined in Step S107 described abovethat the pressing duration of the power button 110 is 4 seconds orlonger (YES), the EC 120 determines whether the pressing duration of thepower button 110 is 10 seconds or longer (Step S111). Here, when thepressing is stopped within a period from 4 seconds to less than 10seconds (NO), the EC 120 executes power control for shutting down thepersonal computer 100 (Step S113). More specifically, the EC 120 turnsoff both the power circuits 160 b and 160 c.

In the present embodiment, ordinary steps of shutting down the personalcomputer 100 are provided by the OS running on the processor 140. Whenthe OS receives a shutdown instruction from the user, the processor 140issues a request for power control to the EC 120 through the chipset130. In contrast, shutdown processing resulting from keeping pressingthe power button 110 for 4 seconds or longer can be executed, forexample, in a case where the ordinary shutdown steps as described aboveare difficult to execute because the OS hangs up and becomesuncontrollable. The user can cause the OS to operate properly in thefollowing manner, for example. The user keeps pressing the power button110 for 4 seconds or longer to shut down the personal computer 100.Thereafter, the user presses the power button 110 again to reboot the OSon the processor 140. Note that in the case where the OS hangs up, theprocessor 140 does not issue a request for transition to the powersaving state, and thus the personal computer 100 does not enter thepower saving state. In other words, even though the pressing of thepower button 110 is stopped within less than 4 seconds, the processingin Step S109 described above is not executed. The personal computer 100remains on, and the OS remains hung up.

Further, when it is determined in Step S111 described above that thepressing duration of the power button 110 is 10 seconds or longer (YES),the EC 120 executes power control for rebooting the personal computer100 (Step S115). More specifically, the EC 120 turns off the powercircuits 160 b and 160 c to shut down the personal computer 100, andthereafter turns on the power circuits 160 b and 160 c again.

One of reasons why the power control processing described above isexecuted is that the personal computer 100 does not have a power stateindicator other than the display 150 in the present embodiment. Asdescribed above, holding down the power button 110 (for 4 seconds orlonger in the illustrated example) while the personal computer 100 isrunning occurs, for example, in the case where the OS operating on theprocessor 140 hangs up and becomes uncontrollable. In this case, if theOS hangs up in a state where the display 150 is displaying an image, theimage on the display 150 disappears. The user can thereby know that thepersonal computer 100 is shut down.

In contrast, suppose a case where the OS hangs up in a state where thedisplay 150 is not displaying an image (such as a case where: the userdoes not manipulate the personal computer 100 for a predetermined time;the processor 140 accordingly turns off the displaying on the display150 and executes background processing; and a certain error occurs onthe background processing). In this case, even though the user holdsdown the power button 110, the display 150 still displays no image, andthus the state of the display 150 does not change. Thus, it is difficultfor the user to know whether the personal computer 100 is shut down.Further, when no image is displayed on the display 150, it is alsodifficult for the user to know whether the personal computer 100 isrunning. For example, in a case where, the user holds down the powerbutton 110 when no image is displayed on the display 150, but where noimage is still displayed on the display 150, it is difficult for theuser to know whether: the personal computer 100 is out of order and thusis prevented from being booted; or no image is displayed due to hung-upof the OS, although the personal computer 100 is running.

For example, if the personal computer 100 is provided with an indicator,such as a lamp indicating a power state, in addition to the display 150,the user views whether the indicator lights up and thereby can knowwhether the personal computer 100 is running or shut down. However, suchan indicator is not provided in the present embodiment. In addition, ifother indicators, such as an indicator for connection from an externalpower supply, an indicator for access to the storage, and an indicatorfor a battery state, are provided in addition to the indicator for thepower state, the user might not fully understand what are indicated bythe respective indicators.

When the pressing duration of the power button 110 is 10 seconds orlonger in the present embodiment as described above, the personalcomputer 100 is rebooted. In other words, holding down the power button110 for a long time results in a running state of the personal computer100. Accordingly, when the personal computer 100 freezes with thedisplay 150 displaying no image, the user may keep pressing the powerbutton 110 for 10 seconds or longer. If the personal computer 100 hasbeen shut down, the manipulation causes the personal computer 100 to bebooted (although the user does not have to keep pressing the powerbutton 110 for 10 seconds or longer). In contrast, suppose a case wherethe personal computer 100 is running, but no image is displayed becausethe OS hangs up. In this case, this manipulation can cause the personalcomputer 100 to be rebooted and to operate properly.

Here, suppose a case where the display 150 displays no image after thepower button 110 is held down for 10 seconds or longer. In this case, itis inferred that the personal computer 100 has an anomaly (such as ahardware breakdown or an OS error) while the personal computer 100 isrunning. In this case, for example, a general user calls a call center,because it is difficult for the user to recover the personal computer100. Since holding down the power button 110 for a long time can causethe personal computer 100 to run, it is easy to judge the state of thepersonal computer 100 (whether the personal computer 100 is out oforder) also in such a case, based on whether the holding down the powerbutton 110 can cause the personal computer 100 to run. For example, inresponse to the user's call “the personal computer 100 does not runalthough power button is pressed”, a call center clerk may answer “keeppressing the power button for 10 seconds or longer”. If the OS has hungup and become uncontrollable, for example, the personal computer 100will be rebooted. Thus, it is possible to easily judge whether thepersonal computer 100 is out of order as the user reports.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between apressed/released state of a power button and a state of power control inthe personal computer according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. With reference to FIG. 3, when the power button 110 ispressed (Release→Press), the EC 120 executes power control fortransition of the power state of the personal computer 100 to a powersaving state. Specific steps have already been described, and thus adescription thereof is omitted. The EC 120 consequently turns off thepower circuit 160 a and stops power supply to the processor 140 and thedisplay 150. This causes the personal computer 100 to transition to thepower saving state. When the user stops pressing (Press→Release) before4 seconds pass after the start of pressing the power button 110, thepersonal computer 100 remains in the power saving state.

On the other hand, if the user keeps pressing the power button 110 evenafter 4 seconds pass after the start of pressing the power button 110,the EC 120 executes power control for forcedly shutting down thepersonal computer 100. More specifically, the EC 120 turns off the powercircuit 160 b without using the chipset 130 (the power circuit 160 a hasalready been turned off), and stops power supply to not only theprocessor 140 and the display 150 but also the chipset 130. This stopsoperations of the components other than the EC 120 and the power circuit160 c, so that the personal computer 100 is shut down. When the userthereafter stops the pressing (Press→Release) before 10 seconds passafter the start of pressing the power button 110, the personal computer100 remains in the shutdown state.

Further, if the user keeps pressing the power button 110 even after 10seconds pass after the start of pressing the power button 110, the EC120 executes power control for rebooting the personal computer 100. Morespecifically, the EC 120 turns on the power circuits 160 a and 160 bagain (the power circuit 160 c remains on during the shutdown) andrestarts power supply to the chipset 130, the processor 140, and thedisplay 150. This causes the chipset 130, the processor 140, and thedisplay 150 to operate again and the personal computer 100 to berebooted. If the processor 140 and the display 150 operate properly, thedisplay 150 displays an image at this time. Even if the pressingmanipulation of the power button 110 is thereafter stopped at any timing(Press→Release), the personal computer 100 remains in the running state.When the pressing of the power button 110 is stopped and thereafter thepower button 110 is pressed again (Release→Press), the same processingas described so far can be repeated.

In the first embodiment of the present disclosure as described above,keeping pressing the power button 110 for 10 seconds or longer is usedas information indicating that the display 150 is not outputtinginformation. In other words, in a case where an image, that is, certaininformation is displayed on the display 150, the display 150 stopsdisplaying the image at latest when the personal computer 100 is shutdown due to keeping pressing the power button 110 for 4 seconds orlonger, regardless of the state of the OS running on the processor 140.Thus, the user can obtain feedback on the pressing of the power button110 and thus stop the pressing. Nevertheless, when the pressing of thepower button 110 continues and a duration thereof reaches 10 seconds, itis inferred that the user does not obtain feedback by using the display150, that is, the display 150 remains in the state where no image isdisplayed before and after the power button 110 is pressed. Hence, whenthe pressing duration is 10 seconds or longer, the EC 120 switches thepower control for the case where the pressing duration is 4 seconds orlonger, that is, the power control for shutting down the personalcomputer 100, to the power control for rebooting the personal computer100.

Note that various modifications in addition to the example describedabove can be made to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Forexample, the personal computer 100 illustrated above has the chipset 130and the processor 140, but may use a SoC (System on a Chip) having afunction to which functions of the chipset 130 and the processor 140 areintegrated. The SoC uses a technique of designing an integrated circuitto which a series of necessary functions (a system) is integrated on asingle semiconductor chip. Personal computers often have functions of aprocessor and a chipset which are integrated on a SoC.

In addition, in the personal computer 100 illustrated above, theprocessor 140 requests the EC 120 for the transition to the power savingstate, through the chipset 130, but the power control is not limited tothis example. For example, the processor 140 or the chipset 130 mayexecute the power control for the transition to the power saving state.The electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is not limited to such a personal computer as in the firstembodiment, and may be any device using control of boot, shutdown, andthe like, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, or amedia player. A control unit of such a device including a personalcomputer does not necessarily include all of an EC, a chipset, and aprocessor. The power control as described in the present embodiment canbe executed by any type of control unit capable of executing powercontrol. An expression “a controller or a processor” in thisspecification means any one of or any combination of an EC, a chipset, aprocessor, and any other control unit as described above.

The power button 110 of the personal computer 100 illustrated above is apush switch, but the type of the power button is not limited to the pushswitch. The switch may be any switch capable of detecting pressing ofthe switch, such as a capacitance switch. In addition, instead of thepower button, another type of handler such as a sliding switch may beused to acquire manipulation for power control.

In the personal computer 100 illustrated above, shutdown is executedwhen the pressing duration of the power button 110 is 4 seconds orlonger, and reboot is executed when the pressing duration is 10 secondsor longer. However, a duration threshold for control switching to beexecuted is not limited to the aforementioned example. Any threshold maybe set depending on, for example, characteristics of a device or thetaste of the user.

In the personal computer 100 illustrated above, when the power button110 is pressed, transition to a power saving state is executed. However,instead of this timing, when the pressing of the power button 110 isthereafter stopped within 4 seconds, the transition to the power savingstate may be executed. Note that various names may be used for the powersaving state, such as a sleep state, a stand-by state, and a hibernationstate, depending on the system.

In the personal computer 100 illustrated above, the three types ofcontrols which are transitions to a power saving state, shutdown, andreboot are selectively executed according to the pressing duration ofthe power button 110. However, more or less types of these may be used.For example, the power saving state may be omitted, and the other twotypes of controls may be selectively executed in the aforementionedexample of the personal computer 100. In this case, for example, keepingpressing the power button 110 for less than 4 seconds may cause nothingto occur, keeping pressing for a period from 4 seconds to less than 10seconds may cause shutdown execution, and keeping pressing for 10seconds or longer may cause reboot execution. Moreover, for example, acontrol which is “displaying a shutdown confirmation screen on thedisplay 150” may be added, and keeping pressing the power button 110 forless than 4 seconds may cause transition to a power saving state,keeping pressing for a period from 4 seconds to less than 8 seconds maycause a confirmation screen to be displayed, keeping pressing for aperiod from 8 seconds to less than 12 seconds may cause shutdown, andkeeping pressing for 12 seconds or longer may cause reboot execution. Itgoes without saying that thresholds of the durations such as 4 seconds,8 seconds, and 12 seconds mentioned above are not limited to theaforementioned examples, and any threshold may be set.

2. Second Embodiment

(2-1. Electronic Device Configuration)

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of apersonal computer according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure. With reference to FIG. 4, a personal computer 200 includesthe power button 110, an EC 220, a chipset 230, a processor 240, thedisplay 150, and the power circuit 160.

The personal computer 200 may have the same configuration as that in thefirst embodiment described above. However, power control by the EC 220,and operations of the chipset 230 and the processor 240 all of whichwill be described later are different from those in the firstembodiment, and thus this point will mainly be described. Componentsother than these are denoted with the same reference numerals, andthereby repeated explanation thereof is omitted.

The EC 220 detects a pressed/released state of the power button 110through signal wires, and executes power control of the personalcomputer 200, that is, control of the power circuit 160 according to aduration of a pressing manipulation of the power button 110. The EC 220operates even during shutdown of the personal computer 200, and thus canalso execute power control for booting or rebooting the personalcomputer 200. The EC 220 may also notify the chipset 230 of thepressed/released state of the power button 110 detected while thepersonal computer 200 is running.

Further, the EC 220 monitors a state of the display 150 while thepersonal computer 200 is running, through the chipset 230 and theprocessor 240. By monitoring the state, the EC 220 acquires, forexample, whether the display 150 is displaying an image, that is,outputting information. Note that in the present embodiment, the chipset230 and the processor 240 have a function of notifying the EC 220 of thestate of the display 150, in addition to the same functions of thechipset 130 and the processor 140 in the first embodiment describedabove.

Here, the processor 240 may notify the EC 220, for example, of the stateof the display 150 regularly, or of a changed state of the display 150when the state is changed. At this time, the EC 220 holds informationacquired through the notification to use the information for judgingwhether to perform power control when the power button 110 is pressed.

Like the foregoing first embodiment, for example, when the personalcomputer 200 does not have an indicator for a power state, whether thedisplay 150 is displaying an image can be the key for the user to knowthe power state of the personal computer 200. In the present embodiment,the EC 220 acquires this information by monitoring the state of thedisplay 150 via the chipset 230 and the processor 240.

(2-2. Power Control Example)

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of power control of thepersonal computer in the second embodiment of the present disclosure.Note that in FIG. 5, steps other than Step S201 are the same as thosedescribed above with reference to FIG. 2 and thus are denoted with thesame reference numerals, and thereby repeated explanation thereof isomitted.

When the pressing duration of the power button 110 is 4 seconds orlonger in Step S107 (YES), the EC 220 determines whether the display 150is displaying an image, based on the information acquired from theprocessor 240 through the chipset 230 (Step S201). Here, when thedisplay 150 is displaying an image (YES), the EC 220 executes powercontrol for shutting down the personal computer 200 (Step S113). On theother hand, when the display 150 is not displaying an image (NO), the EC220 executes power control for rebooting the personal computer 200 (StepS115).

Such power control processing eliminates a long wait time (for example,10 seconds) after pressing the power button 110, unlike the firstembodiment, and enables appropriate processing for the case where theuser does not (is supposed not to) obtain feedback on the pressing thepower button 110 due to displaying no image on the display 150, that is,enables the personal computer 200 to be rebooted.

In the second embodiment of the present disclosure as described above,the EC 220 acquires information indicating that the display 150 is notoutputting information, by monitoring the display 150 through thechipset 230 and the processor 240. For this reason, when the powerbutton 110 is kept pressed for 4 seconds or longer, whether the user canobtain feedback on the pressing of the power button 110 can be inferredbased on whether the display 150 is displaying an image. Execution ofpower control for shutting down or rebooting the personal computer 200based on the inference can give appropriate feedback to the user in bothcases of displaying and not displaying an image on the display 150.

Note that the information indicating that the display 150 is notoutputting information may be directly inputted to the EC 220 from thedisplay 150 through the signal wires or the like. In this case, forexample, even when the display 150 by itself erases an image after theOS hangs up, the EC 220 can know that the display 150 is not outputtingthe information.

In addition, the modifications described in the first embodiment aboveare also applicable to the second embodiment.

3. Third Embodiment

(3-1. Electronic Device Configuration)

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of atablet terminal according to a third embodiment of the presentdisclosure. With reference to FIG. 6, a tablet terminal 300 includes aprocessor 310, a display 320, a touch sensor 330, and a communicationdevice 340. Note that the tablet terminal 300 can include variouscontrollers, power circuits, a memory, a storage, a connection port, andthe like in addition to the illustrated components. Note that the morespecific examples of the unillustrated components have been provided inthe first and second embodiments and the hardware configuration exampleof the information processing apparatus to be described later.

The processor 310 executes, for example, processing for operating the OSand for controlling image display on the display 320. The processor 310may execute processing according to a user's manipulation acquiredthrough a manipulation unit such as the touch sensor 330. The touchsensor 330 is arranged, for example, on the display 320, thus is acomponent of a touch panel, and acquires a touch manipulation performedby the user. The processor 310 causes the display 320 to display animage that functions as a GUI (Graphical User Interface), formanipulation input utilizing the touch panel. The display 320 is adisplay device such as an LCD. The processor 310 can acquire content ona network through network communication executed by the communicationdevice 340 and provide an application function for the user's viewing bydisplaying the acquired content on the display 320. The communicationdevice 340 executes the network communication, for example, through theInternet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of anapplication function provided in the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure. With reference to FIG. 7, the display 320 displays a screen3200 for a web browser function in the present embodiment. Note that theweb browser function is an example of the application function forviewing, on the network, content acquired through the networkcommunication.

The screen 3200 may include various buttons such as a back button 3201,a forward button 3203, an update button 3205, an abort button 3207, anda home button 3209. These buttons are displayed as a GUI on the display320. The user's touch manipulation in any of regions associated with therespective buttons is detected by the touch sensor 330 and is providedto the processor 310 as a pressing manipulation of the correspondingbutton. Accordingly, it can also be said that the touch sensor 330 is amanipulation unit configured to acquire a pressing manipulation of thecorresponding button which is the GUI. Note that the screen 3200 mayfurther include an address bar 3211 and the like.

In the present embodiment, the processor 310 selectively executes one ofa plurality of command controls of a web browser according to theduration of the pressing manipulation of the back button 3201 acquiredby the touch sensor 330. Accordingly, processing performed when the backbutton 3201 is pressed will particularly be described below. Sincepublicly known technology is applicable to operations and functions ofthe other buttons and bars, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.However, like the back button 3201, these handlers may be assigned aplurality of controls one of which is selectively executed according tothe pressing duration.

(3-2. Command Control Example)

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a first example illustrating command control bythe web browser function in the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the first example, the processor 310 determines whetherthe web browser function operates properly, based on the processingstate of the web browser function of the processor 310.

With reference to FIG. 8, the processor 310 detects a pressingmanipulation of the back button 3201 (Step S301), and determines whetherthe duration of pressing the back button 3201 (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as a pressing duration) is 4 seconds or longer (Step S303).Here, when the pressing is stopped within a pressing duration of lessthan 4 seconds (NO), the processor 310 executes control for changing thecontent viewed by using the web browser function, that is, the web pageback to the previous page (Step S305). More specifically, the processor310 reads the previous web page cached in the memory to display theprevious web page on the display 320. Alternatively, the processor 310causes the communication device 340 to execute the networkcommunication, to acquire the previous web page again, and to displaythe previous web page on the display 320.

On the other hand, when the pressing duration of the back button 3201 is4 seconds or longer in Step S303 described above (YES), the processor310 determines whether the web browser function of the processor 310 isbusy (Step S307). More specifically, the processor 310 can judge whethera process of the web browser function among processes executed by theprocessor 310 is busy. Here, when the web browser function of theprocessor 310 is not busy (NO), the processor 310 executes control forterminating the web browser function (Step S309).

In the first example as described above, if the web browser function ofthe processor 310 is not busy and is executed properly, holding down theback button 3201 (for 4 seconds or longer) results in execution of acommand for terminating the web browser function. This can provide ahigh operability GUI, that is, the user can terminate the web browseronly by holding down the frequently used back button 3201, without usingan end button separately provided or an end item in the menu.

On the other hand, when the web browser function of the processor 310 isbusy in Step S307 described above (YES), the processor 310 executescontrol for rebooting the web browser function (Step S311). In thiscase, the processor 310 can recognize that the web browser function isterminated in a state where the web browser function is not executedproperly, and thus may try, at the time of rebooting, to fix the stateof the web browser such as a web page viewed immediately before thetermination.

In the first example as described above, if the web browser function ofthe processor 310 is busy and is not executed properly, holding down theback button 3201 (for 4 seconds or longer) results in reboot of the webbrowser function. This can cause recognition of a situation in which theuser is originally not intended to terminate the web browser functionbut holds down the back button 3201 to terminate the web browserfunction because the web browser function stops operation. It is therebypossible to implement rebooting the web browser function which issupposed to be intended by the user, without waiting for manipulationfor rebooting the web browser by the user.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a second example illustrating processing by theweb browser function in the third embodiment of the present disclosure.Note that in FIG. 9, steps other than Step S351 are the same as thosedescribed above with reference to FIG. 8 and thus are denoted with thesame reference numerals, and thereby repeated explanation thereof isomitted. In the second example, the processor 310 determines whether theweb browser function operates properly, based on a processing state ofthe communication device 340.

When the pressing duration of the back button 3201 is 4 seconds orlonger in Step S303 (YES), the processor 310 determines whether thecommunication device 340 is executing communication for the web browserfunction, that is, communication for acquiring a web page (Step S351).Here, the communication for acquiring the web page may be limited to,for example, communication for acquiring a part excluding an element tobe occasionally updated, such as a moving image or an advertisement inthe page. Accordingly, the processor 310 may execute the determinationnot only by checking the operation state of the communication device 340but also by verifying the content of data received by the communicationdevice 340.

When the communication device 340 is not executing the communication forthe web browser function in Step S351 described above (NO), theprocessor 310 executes control for terminating the web browser function(Step S309). On the other hand, when the communication device 340 isexecuting the web browser function in Step S351 (YES), the processor 310executes control for rebooting the web browser function (Step S311). Inthis case, the processor 310 can recognize that the web browser functionis terminated in a state where the next web page is not read, and thusmay try, at the time of rebooting, to fix the state of the web browsersuch as a web page viewed immediately before the termination.

In the second example as described above, if the communication device340 is executing the communication for acquiring the web page, holdingdown the back button 3201 (for 4 seconds or longer) results in reboot ofthe web browser function. This can cause recognition of a situation inwhich the user holds down the back button 3201 to terminate the webbrowser function because it takes a long time to read a web page due toa busy state or the like of a communication target server. It is therebypossible to implement rebooting the web browser function which issupposed to be intended by the user, without waiting for manipulationfor rebooting the web browser by the user.

In the third embodiment of the present disclosure described above, forthe web browser function which is one of functions provided by thetablet terminal 300, a command control selectively executed according tothe pressing duration of the back button 3201 displayed as the GUI isswitched according to information indicating whether the web browserfunction is operating properly. The information used here may be, forexample, information indicating the processing state of the web browserfunction of the processor 310 as in the foregoing first example, or maybe information indicating the communication state executed by thecommunication device 340 for the web browser function as in theforegoing second example. The first and second examples may be combinedto judge the state of the web browser function based on the processingstates of the processor 310 and the communication device 340.

As described above, the control according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure does not have to be control of the entire electronicdevice such as power control, and may be, for example, command controlof one of application functions provided by the electronic device. Themanipulation unit is not limited to the button or the switch provided ashardware, and may be a pointing device such as a touch sensor thatacquires a touch panel manipulation of an icon such as a button providedas a GUI.

Note that various modifications in addition to the examples describedabove can also be made to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure. For example, also in an embodiment in which the commandcontrol of the application function is executed like the presentembodiment, control switching can be implemented based on a pressingduration as in the first embodiment. For example, in the aforementionedexamples: when a pressing duration of the back button 3201 displayed onthe screen 3200 of the web browser is less than 4 seconds, a viewed webpage may be changed to the previous page; when the duration ranges from4 seconds to less than 10 seconds, the web browser function may beterminated; and when the duration is 10 seconds or longer, the webbrowser function may be rebooted.

In addition, an electronic device according to an embodiment identicalto the present embodiment is not limited to the tablet terminal, and maybe any device that can provide a function of viewing content on thenetwork, such as a smartphone, a personal computer, a game machine, or amedia player. In such a device, the aforementioned functions of the backbutton 3201 may not necessarily be provided as the GUI, and may beprovided by using a button or a switch of hardware.

In the tablet terminal 300 illustrated above, 4 seconds is used as athreshold of the pressing duration of the back button 3201, but anythreshold may be set. Further, the back button 3201 may be associatedwith controls such as “moving back to the previous page”, “moving backto the second previous page”, “moving back to the first page”, and“moving back to the home page”, and three or more types of controls maybe selectively executed based on a plurality of thresholds set for therespective pressing durations. In this case, at least one of thecontrols selectively executed is switched over based on informationindicating the state of, for example, the processor 310 or thecommunication device 340.

4. Fourth Embodiment

Subsequently, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed. The present embodiment may be implemented in addition to, forexample, the configurations of the respective first to thirdembodiments. The present embodiment provides a function of settingswitching of functions executed by a control unit of the electronicdevice.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a setting screenprovided in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The examplein FIG. 10 shows a screen 4100 enabling selection from power controlsresulting from keeping pressing the power button for 4 seconds or longerand keeping pressing for 10 seconds or longer in the power control ofsuch a personal computer as in the foregoing first embodiment. Thescreen 4100 enables the user to select any one of the following inswitching controls based on whether or not the pressing duration is 10seconds or longer: power control before switching (control in the casewhere the pressing duration ranges from 4 seconds to less than 10seconds: “shutdown” in the figure); and power control after switching(control in the case where the pressing duration is 10 seconds orlonger: “reboot” in the figure). The user can also substantially disablethe switching by selecting the same power control as the power controlbefore the switching.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a setting screenprovided in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The examplein FIG. 11 shows a screen 4200 enabling selection from power controls incases where the display is on and off when the power button is keptpressed for 4 seconds or longer, in the power control of such a personalcomputer as in the second embodiment. The screen 4200 enables the userto select any one of the following in switching power controls dependingon whether the display is on or off: power control before switching(control in the case where the display is on: “shutdown” in the figure);and the power control after the switching (control in the case where thedisplay is off: “reboot” in the figure). Like the foregoing firstexample, the user can also substantially disable the switching byselecting the same power control as the power control before theswitching.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a setting screenprovided in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The examplein FIG. 12 shows a screen 4300. When the back button is kept pressed for4 seconds or longer in controlling the web browser as in the thirdembodiment, the screen 4300 enables selection from command controls incases where a web page has been read, a web page is being read, and thesystem is busy. Note that this example employs combination of the firstand second examples in the aforementioned third embodiment. The screen4300 enables the user to select any one of the following in switchingthe command control depending on the state of the web browser function:command control before switching (control in the case where a web pagehas been read: “terminate browser” in the figure); command control afterthe switching, based on the state of the communication device (controlin the case where a web page is being read: “restore browser” in thefigure); and command control after the switching, based on the state ofthe processor (control in the case where the system is busy: “restorebrowser” in the figure). The user can also substantially disable theswitching by selecting the same command control as the power controlbefore the switching.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure,in control to be selectively executed according to a manipulationduration, the user can select, through the setting screen, any one ofcontrols before and after the switching depending on informationindicating the state of the electronic device. This enables the user tocustomize, for example, a user interface provided in any of theaforementioned embodiments, according to the usage or user's taste, thusleading to high operability.

(5. Hardware Configuration Example of Information Processing Apparatus)

Next, a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining thehardware configuration of the information processing apparatus. Aninformation processing apparatus 900 illustrated in the figure mayrealize the personal computer, the tablet terminal, or the like in theaforementioned embodiments.

The information processing apparatus 900 includes a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 903, and a RAM (RandomAccess Memory) 905. In addition, the information processing apparatus900 may include a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, aninterface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, a storagedevice 919, a drive 921, a connection port 923, and a communicationdevice 925. Further, the information processing apparatus 900 mayinclude an imaging device 933 and a sensor 935 as necessary. Theinformation processing apparatus 900 may include a processing circuitsuch as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit), alternatively or in addition to the CPU 901.

The CPU 901 serves as an operation processor and a controller, andcontrols all or some operations in the information processing apparatus900 in accordance with various programs recorded in the ROM 903, the RAM905, the storage device 919 or a removable recording medium 927. The ROM903 stores programs and operation parameters which are used by the CPU901. The RAM 905 temporarily stores program which are used in theexecution of the CPU 901 and parameters which are appropriately modifiedin the execution. The CPU 901, ROM 903, and RAM 905 are connected toeach other by the host bus 907 configured to include an internal bussuch as a CPU bus. In addition, the host bus 907 is connected to theexternal bus 911 such as a PCI (Peripheral ComponentInterconnect/Interface) bus via the bridge 909.

The input device 915 is a device which is operated by a user, such as amouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, switches and a lever. Theinput device 915 may be, for example, a remote control unit usinginfrared light or other radio waves, or may be an external connectiondevice 929 such as a portable phone operable in response to theoperation of the information processing apparatus 900. Furthermore, theinput device 915 includes an input control circuit which generates aninput signal on the basis of the information which is input by a userand outputs the input signal to the CPU 901. By operating the inputdevice 915, a user can input various types of data to the informationprocessing apparatus 900 or issue instructions for causing theinformation processing apparatus 900 to perform a processing operation.

The output device 917 includes a device capable of visually or audiblynotifying the user of acquired information. The output device 917 mayinclude a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP(Plasma Display Panel), and an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence)display, an audio output device such as a speaker or a headphone, and aperipheral device such as a printer. The output device 917 may outputthe results obtained from the process of the information processingapparatus 900 in a form of a video such as text or an image, and anaudio such as voice or sound.

The storage device 919 is a device for data storage which is configuredas an example of a storage unit of the information processing apparatus900. The storage device 919 includes, for example, a magnetic storagedevice such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor storage device,an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. Thestorage device 919 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 901,various data, and data obtained from the outside.

The drive 921 is a reader/writer for the removable recording medium 927such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or asemiconductor memory, and is embedded in the information processingapparatus 900 or attached externally thereto. The drive 921 readsinformation recorded in the removable recording medium 927 attachedthereto, and outputs the read information to the RAM 905. Further, thedrive 921 writes in the removable recording medium 927 attached thereto.

The connection port 923 is a port used to directly connect devices tothe information processing apparatus 900. The connection port 923 mayinclude a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, an IEEE1394 port, and a SCSI(Small Computer System Interface) port. The connection port 923 mayfurther include an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, an HDMI(High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, and so on. The connectionof the external connection device 929 to the connection port 923 makesit possible to exchange various data between the information processingapparatus 900 and the external connection device 929.

The communication device 925 is, for example, a communication interfaceincluding a communication device or the like for connection to acommunication network 931. The communication device 925 may be, forexample, a communication card for a wired or wireless LAN (Local AreaNetwork), Bluetooth (registered trademark), WUSB (Wireless USB) or thelike. In addition, the communication device 925 may be a router foroptical communication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital SubscriberLine), a modem for various kinds of communications, or the like. Thecommunication device 925 can transmit and receive signals to and from,for example, the Internet or other communication devices based on apredetermined protocol such as TCP/IP. In addition, the communicationnetwork 931 connected to the communication device 925 may be a networkor the like connected in a wired or wireless manner, and may be, forexample, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wavecommunication, satellite communication, or the like.

The imaging device 933 is a device that generates an image by imaging areal space using an image sensor such as a charge-coupled device (CCD)or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, as well asvarious members such as one or more lenses for controlling the formationof a subject image on the image sensor, for example. The imaging device933 may be a device that takes still images, and may also be a devicethat takes moving images.

The sensor 935 is any of various sensors such as an acceleration sensor,a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or a soundsensor, for example. The sensor 935 acquires information regarding thestate of the information processing apparatus 900, such as theorientation of the case of the information processing apparatus 900, aswell as information regarding the environment surrounding theinformation processing apparatus 900, such as the brightness or noisesurrounding the information processing apparatus 900, for example. Thesensor 935 may also include a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensorthat receives GPS signals and measures the latitude, longitude, andaltitude of the apparatus.

The foregoing thus illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration ofthe information processing apparatus 900. Each of the above componentsmay be realized using general-purpose members, but may also be realizedin hardware specialized in the function of each component. Such aconfiguration may also be modified as appropriate according to thetechnological level at the time of the implementation.

(6. Supplement)

The embodiments of the present disclosure may include, for example, theelectronic device and the method for controlling an electronic devicewhich are as described above, and a program for being executed by anelectronic device, and a tangible and non-transitory medium having theprogram recorded therein.

Note that the program may also include not only a program loaded, forexample, from the storage onto the memory and executed by the processorbut also a program written to an EC or a chipset. When the applicationfunction implemented in the electronic device is controlled by a serverthrough a network, the embodiments of the present disclosure mayinclude: the server; and a system including the electronic device andthe server.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

-   (1) An electronic device including:

a manipulation unit configured to acquire manipulation by a user; and

a control unit configured to selectively execute one of a plurality ofcontrols of the electronic device which are associated with a durationof the manipulation and to perform switching of at least one of theplurality of controls according to information indicating a state of theelectronic device.

-   (2) The electronic device according to (1), further including:

an output unit configured to output information for the user,

wherein the control unit performs switching on at least one of theplurality of controls according to information indicating a state of theoutput unit.

-   (3) The electronic device according to (2),

wherein the plurality of controls include power controls at least one ofwhich is executed when the duration is longer than or equal to a firstthreshold, and

wherein when the output unit is determined to be not outputtinginformation, the control unit performs switching of the power control.

-   (4) The electronic device according to (3),

wherein the control unit determines whether or not the output unit isoutputting information, based on whether or not the duration is longerthan or equal to a second threshold which is larger than the firstthreshold.

-   (5) The electronic device according to (4),

wherein when the duration is shorter than the second threshold, thecontrol unit executes one of the power controls which is for shuttingdown the electronic device, and when the duration is longer than orequal to the second threshold, the control unit executes one of thepower controls which is for rebooting the electronic device.

-   (6) The electronic device according to (3),

wherein the control unit determined whether or not the output unit isoutputting information, based on information obtained by monitoring theoutput unit.

-   (7) The electronic device according to (6),

wherein when the output unit is outputting information, the control unitexecutes one of the power controls which is for shutting down theelectronic device, and when the output unit is not outputtinginformation, the control unit executes one of the power controls whichis for rebooting the electronic device.

-   (8) The electronic device according to any one of (3) to (7),

wherein when the duration is shorter than the first threshold, thecontrol unit executes one of the power controls which is for causing theelectronic device to transition to a power saving state.

-   (9) The electronic device according to any one of (3) to (8),

wherein the manipulation is pressing manipulation of a power button.

-   (10) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (9),

wherein the plurality of controls include command controls of anapplication function provided by the electronic device, at least one ofthe command controls being executed when the duration is longer than orequal to a first threshold, and

wherein when the application function is determined to be not operatingproperly, the control unit performs switching of the command control.

-   (11) The electronic device according to (10),

wherein the control unit determines whether or not the applicationfunction is operating properly, based on a processing state of theapplication function of the control unit.

-   (12) The electronic device according to (11),

wherein when the duration is longer than or equal to the firstthreshold, the control unit executes one of the command controls whichis for terminating the application function on condition that theapplication function of the control unit is not busy, and the controlunit executes one of the command controls which is for rebooting theapplication function on condition that the application function is busy.

-   (13) The electronic device according to any one of (10) to (12),    further including:

a communication unit configured to execute network communication for theapplication function,

wherein the control unit determines whether or not the applicationfunction is operating properly, based on a processing state of thecommunication unit.

-   (14) The electronic device according to (13),

wherein when the duration is longer than or equal to the firstthreshold, the control unit executes one of the command controls whichis for terminating the application function on condition that thecommunication unit is not executing communication for the applicationfunction, and the control unit executes one of the command controlswhich is for rebooting the application function on condition that thecommunication unit is executing communication for the applicationfunction.

-   (15) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (14),

wherein the control unit provides a function by which a user makes aselection from control before the switching and control after theswitching.

-   (16) A method for controlling an electronic device, the method    including:

acquiring manipulation by a user; and

selectively executing one of a plurality of controls of the electronicdevice which are associated with a duration of the manipulation andperforming switching of at least one of the plurality of controlsaccording to information indicating a state of the electronic device.

-   (17) A program causing a controller or a processor of an electronic    device to implement:

a function of acquiring manipulation by a user; and

a function of selectively executing one of a plurality of controls ofthe electronic device which are associated with a duration of themanipulation and performing switching of at least one of the pluralityof controls according to information indicating a state of theelectronic device.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: circuitryconfigured to acquire manipulation by a user; selectively execute one ofa plurality of controls of the electronic device which are associatedwith a duration of the manipulation and to perform switching of at leastone of the plurality of controls according to a state of the electronicdevice, the plurality of controls including power controls and commandcontrols of an application function provided by the electronic device atleast one of which is executed when the duration of the manipulation islonger than or equal to a first threshold; and switch one of the commandcontrols of the application function with power reset from one of thepower controls in response to determining that the application functionis not properly operating.
 2. The electronic device according to claim1, wherein the circuitry is configured to: output information for theuser; and perform switching on at least one of the plurality of controlsaccording to information indicating a state of the information beingoutput for the user.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein theplurality of controls include power controls at least one of which isexecuted when the duration is longer than or equal to a first threshold,and the circuitry is configured to switch the power control when it isdetermined that information is not being output for the user.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 3, wherein the circuitry is configured todetermine whether or not the information for the user is being outputbased on whether or not the duration is longer than or equal to a secondthreshold which is larger than the first threshold.
 5. The electronicdevice of claim 4, wherein when the duration is shorter than the secondthreshold, the circuitry is configured to execute one of the powercontrols which is for shutting down the electronic device, and when theduration is longer than or equal to the second threshold, the controlunit executes one of the power controls which is for rebooting theelectronic device.
 6. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein thecircuitry is configured to determine whether information is being outputfor the user based on information obtained by monitoring a userinterface of the electronic device.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6,wherein when the circuitry is outputting information for the user, thecircuitry is configured to execute one of the power controls which isfor shutting down the electronic device, and when the circuitry is notoutputting information for the user, the circuitry is configured toexecute one of the power controls which is for rebooting the electronicdevice.
 8. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein when the durationis shorter than the first threshold, the circuitry is configured toexecute one of the power controls which is for causing the electronicdevice to transition to a power saving state.
 9. The electronic deviceof claim 3, wherein the manipulation is pressing a power button.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of controls includecommand controls of an application function provided by the electronicdevice, at least one of the command controls being executed when theduration is longer than or equal to a first threshold, and when theapplication function is determined to be not operating properly, thecircuitry is configured to perform switching of the command control. 11.The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is configuredto determine whether or not the application function is operatingproperly based on a processing state of the application function. 12.The electronic device of claim 11, wherein when the duration is longerthan or equal to the first threshold, the circuitry is configured toexecute one of the command controls which is for terminating theapplication function on condition that the application function of thecontrol unit is not busy, and the circuitry is configured to execute oneof the command controls which is for rebooting the application functionon condition that the application function is busy.
 13. The electronicdevice of claim 10, further comprising: a communication interfaceconfigured to execute network communication for the applicationfunction, wherein the circuitry is configured to determine whether ornot the application function is operating properly based on a processingstate of the communication interface.
 14. The electronic device of claim13, wherein when the duration is longer than or equal to the firstthreshold, the circuitry is configured to execute one of the commandcontrols which is for terminating the application function on conditionthat the communication interface is not executing communication for theapplication function, and the circuitry is configured to execute one ofthe command controls which is for rebooting the application function oncondition that the communication interface is executing communicationfor the application function.
 15. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the circuitry is configured to provide a function by which auser makes a selection for control before the switching and controlafter the switching.
 16. A method performed by an electronic device, themethod comprising: acquiring manipulation by a user; selectivelyexecuting one of a plurality of controls of the electronic device whichare associated with a duration of the manipulation and to performswitching of at least one of the plurality of controls according to astate of the electronic device, the plurality of controls includingpower controls and command controls of an application function providedby the electronic device at least one of which is executed when theduration of the manipulation is longer than or equal to a firstthreshold; and switching one of the command controls of the applicationfunction with power reset from one of the power controls in response todetermining that the application function is not properly operating. 17.A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-programinstructions, which when executed by an electronic device, cause theelectronic device to: acquire manipulation by a user; selectivelyexecute one of a plurality of controls of the electronic device whichare associated with a duration of the manipulation and to performswitching of at least one of the plurality of controls according to astate of the electronic device, the plurality of controls includingpower controls and command controls of an application function providedby the electronic device at least one of which is executed when theduration of the manipulation is longer than or equal to a firstthreshold; and switch one of the command controls of the applicationfunction with power reset from one of the power controls in response todetermining that the application function is not properly operating.